Emptying the Nest: Launching Reluctant Young Adults

Family therapists increasingly find themselves working with young adults who, for various reasons, seem unable to take the necessary steps toward healthy self-sufficiency and remain unhappily entangled with and dependent upon their parents. Naturally, this situation creates significant friction and conflict, which can hobble growth on the part of both generations. In this workshop, we'll explore a clinical framework for understanding the intrapsychic and family-based dynamics that typically interfere with the ability of parents and young adults to mature and evolve. You'll become acquainted with practical strategies designed to ameliorate family tension, promote the autonomy and self-assurance of struggling young adults, and enable parents to grow into the next stage of their individual and marital lives. This workshop will be both didactic and interactive, so participants are invited to bring along case material for group discussion.